As I mentioned in my previous post, it’s always an interesting challenge to provide baked goods when I’m traveling for a show. On this occasion I made two different types of chocolate covered treats for the performers, and flew them with me to New York. This was the first mistake. I placed the box next to the air conditioner in my hotel (No fridge! I didn’t realize how cheap I was) and by Friday they were on the verge of melting. While carrying them to the show, we were met with a storm fit for the movies (think: clap of thunder, immediate sideways rainstorm). The cardboard box housing my treats was starting to warp.

We made it into a subway station, took a transfer, found a CVS, and purchased some totally stylish ponchos. If it weren’t raining so hard, I’d have a picture of myself pouting, with a crumbling box of chocolate under my poncho.

Once we made it to the venue, I was denied entrance. Last year, Highline let Mrs. Deff retrieve the box and take it straight to the backstage area. This year they were far less accommodating. Rather then throw them out, I started offering them to people outside the venue, which prompted Ianism to ask, “Are you PretendGirl?” But of course.

I couldn’t bear to trash them, so I asked the bouncers if they wanted them. In what I considered to be a spectacularly shitty move at the time, they said sure. So they won’t let me take a tiny box of chocolate bars up to the artists but they’ll claim them for themselves? Classy. I set them inside the door. After a couple of failed attempts by various QN5 members to retrieve them, I took to offering them to those taking smoke breaks outside.

Much to my surprise, by the end of the night the box was still there and still full when the venue started to clear out and the artists began to exit. In a move entirely influenced by Corona, I decided that the person I’d entrust with sharing my goods was Natti. Deep down I knew as I handed off the box that no other QN5 artists would see them.

I got confirmation the next day at the after party that Natti shared them with no one.

But I digress. On a totally unrelated note, look for me at the next Megashow, where I plan on delivering a small box of “Merch” directly to the friendly faces at the merch table.

QN5 Ruined My Life. Everyone seems a bit less interesting or fun. My friends back home suddenly come off as boring assholes (others just keeping up with the status quo). Nothing looks particularly exciting anymore. Other shows just seem mediocre. How is anything going to live up to the amazing people I reunited with or met for the first time, and the incomparable amount of fun we had before, during, and after the definition of what a live show should be? I’ve seriously woken up thinking, “so what’s the megafans crew up to?” since returning home from my trip then slinking into sadness after realizing they’re not around anymore.

As amazing as the QN5 Megashow was (I’ll post about that on the boards), it really was about the amount of crazy awesome, nice, funny, but not as handsome as me people that I met during my two week trip. I spent nearly all my hours with Timo for two weeks and didn’t want to strangle him to death by the end of the trip, which is a pretty rare event. I could jump into conversation with a bunch of people I met for the first time like it was nothing. I could hang out with people I met months or years ago like we’ve been friends for years. How often does that happen? Almost never! Congrats, QN5, you have created the ultimate fan community in the universe. At the same time though, I hate you. You brought a bunch of wonderful people I love being around together then took it away from me much too quickly.

Guess I’ll have to organize the 2012 Megashow: Camp QN5 to ensure I see everyone again. QN5 ruined my life. In the best way possible.

This would be where I would write individual messages to all the lovely people I hung out with, but you know who you are and how I feel about you. Also, it would just upset me to know you’re all far away from me and force me to take an angry nap — yes, angry naps are a real thing.

So yeah, for those who haven’t already seen.. Irene has delayed my flight home till NEXT FRIDAY. I’m currently with JLee in DC trying to sort out all of our travel plans.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love it here. I’m midway through negotiations with several of you so I can come out here to live in a big house with you guys. But I need sleep. In my own bed. I need to experience English temperatures and not be covered in sweat at all times. I need to stop spending $50 on food everyday and drinking myself to sleep.

And most importantly, I need to sit down and type a fucking recap/appreciation post.. one where I can tell all the fans/artists how much this whole thing meant to me, because it’s no one-paragraph job. It’s going to take a lot of time and a lot of emotion to pull off properly.

So for now, if anyone happens to be in the DC/NYC area between now and next friday, let me know

i suspect i’m not gonna be saying anything anyone else hasn’t. but fuck it, i gotta say something… i just wanted to express how it was wonderful being at the show and walking around afterwards with everyone. despite not getting much sleep that night (on a park bench) i was still able to drag myself down to the porch on saturday and hang out properly. i think what really struck me was how it all sort of gelled - it was as if these people (YOU!) i’d never met before had known me for months. the eagerness to forge new friendships was overwhelming and fantastic and makes me smile and nearly tear up. ok now i’m talking shit…

i can’t leave out the people who brought us all together, though. the artists (and their spouses!) deserve, well, more than i can put into words. our unending support maybe? anyways, thank you so, so, fucking much.

So! if anyone still around in NY (or lives there…) wants to hang out, i’ll be there from thursday evening until sunday for Rock the Bells before flying back to edinburgh - presumably with sonny109/john.

I feel so lucky to have met many of you at the QN5 Megashow/Afterparty etc. From Dave’s humor to Tatyana’s sweet smile…I will miss you all. I cannot wait to see you again. You all made being thousands of miles away from a tiny town in Louisiana seem like I was still right at home. Even though I don’t post on the boards a lot you guys were still so nice to me and treated me like one of your own…I was like WHUTTTTT?!?! Dey so nice =]. The QN5 Megashow 2011 will go down as one of the best experiences of my life and I hope to experience another one like it in the future with all of you.

It’s Thursday, August 25th.. and I’m still in awe over the events that took place during my stay in New York over the 18th to 22nd. It was so chill meeting blue schoolers face-to-face for the first time from around the world and reuniting with ones I’ve met before (and getting to know them better than ever). I flew 1400 miles away from home to be warmly greeted by some of the most hospitable people of our generation. It didn’t hit me until we said our goodbyes Sunday night that I would miss the shit out of you all - even if I could simply go online and speak to you through QN5.com, Facebook, Twitter, etc. After sharing conversations, money, drinks, subway trains, sidewalks, tables, and bills with YOU.. you’ll never be a screen name again.

I may have been a wee-bit quiet amongst you guys, but it’s only because I couldn’t even believe it was happening.. or I didn’t know how to react to your amazing characters. You left me speechless.

Last week, when I was invited to hang out with some QN5’ers by Chris…I said…HEY WHY NOT! Little did I know that I was going to fall in love with 9 amazing individuals.

Through out the next 10 days I met some amazing people who I will never forget and I will miss dearly. So here is my love letter to all of you…

JLee – My darling Jason. You are so amazing. You have to be one of the funniest/sweetest people I have ever met. I soooo wish I can go to Disney World with you and Timo but we will definite see each other soon. I can’t wait to visit you in LA! Hugs!!!! You and I have to start planning this QN5 Camp!

EpicAesthetic – Timo. This was the first time I met you and in just a few days have gotten so close to you. Thank you for letting me share your 21st birthday with you. We have a plan a yearly Timo’s Birtday trip so we can have as much fun every year as we did this. You are definitely one of the coolest people I have met.

Imagetic – Mr. WillieD! Like I told you over and over again…you are going to miss me when you’re back in Portland. I sure will miss you. Every time I see Chicken Nuggets I will think about you. Thank you for making fun of me constantly too… J You better show me around when I come visit your neck of the woods, like I showed you NY. (I still owe you a drink!) Hehe

DWilli – Dave, you are absolutely, without a doubt, the AWESOMEST person I have ever met (in your category). Your energy is so awesome that it makes others want to me just as awesome. HEH. I promise I will make you some delicious Jewslim Drink. And I will do my best not to blow you up next time I will miss you soooo much honey.

Osiris – My love Phil. You are so wonderful and I am glad that we have gotten to know each other better this year. We have to get married so you can move here and we can hang out all the time. I can’t wait to come visit you in New Zealand. Thank you for my flower. I will cherish it always.

MystycO1ne – Ben! Like I told you earlier, you give the best hugs ever! I know we only hung out for a couple of days, but in just those two short days I have come to see what a wonderful person you are. Can’t wait for the next time we all get to meet up! You better hit be up if you are ever in New York.

Enthusiasm – The beautiful Tatyana. You are so wonderfully sweet my love. And that smile…what an amazing smile! It was so great to meet you and hang out with you. Hope you had a wonderful time in New York. Hugs and Kisses!!!!

Sherwin – I don’t know what to say about you. We both live in New York and we never see each other. I think that we need to change this immediately. Although you tend to cut me off and ruin all my jokes (grrrrrrrrrrrr)…I still love you. We need to plan a hang out soon!!!!!

Chris – Chris, I think I will miss you the most. First, I would like to say sorry for almost killing you in the first 2 minutes of meeting you 0:-). Second, I’m sorry for always getting you lost, but hey…that’s a part of my charm. I can’t believe that there is another person who likes Frasier as much as I do. It was wonderful to meet you, and even more wonderful getting to know you.

To everyone else that I met, Tim, Rachael, Zack, CJ, and everyone else I can’t seem to think of right now since it is so late. It was wonderful to have met you!

The biggest thank you goes out to QN5. If it was not for your music and the Megashow, we would not have met.